Hate crime probe of inmate

A Los Angeles County jail inmate could face hate crime charges after he repeatedly punched a jail employee who is Asian American, authorities said.

Arnulfo Meza, 29, attacked the 54yearold woman without warning Wednesday. Meza’s left hand had been freed from his waist chain after he asked to use the restroom, the Sheriff ’s Department said.

Surveillance video shows the man suddenly punching her and knocking her to the floor. Sheriff ’s employees arrived moments later and restrained the man.

The custody assistant was taken to a hospital with face and head injuries and was in stable condition.

Meza could face charges of assault and committing a hate crime, the Sheriff ’s Department said. The attack follows a rise in antiAsian violence around the nation amid the coronavirus pandemic.